Autopsy as quality assurance in the intensive care unit

A prospective study of 100 autopsies was carried out. The clinical and pathologic diagnoses were made independently by intensivists and pathologists; at the end of the study, the differences were determined. There were seven Class I errors (which if detected before death, would probably have led to a change in management that might have resulted in cure or prolonged survival), six of these relating to the basic disease and one to the cause of death. Class II errors occurred in 15 patients, ten relating to the basic disease and five to the cause of death. In 61% of the patients, the major and minor diagnoses coincided. In 77% of the patients, the major diagnoses coincided. No relationship was found between the incidence of Class I and Class II errors and the length of the patients' stay in the ICU.

Involuntary closure of eyelids in parkinsonism. Electrophysiological evidence for prolonged inhibition of the levator palpebrae muscles

Involuntary closure of eyelids (ICE), a phenomenon variously interpreted as blepharospasm and apraxia of lid opening, is occasionally observed in parkinsonism. Nine patients (4 with Parkinson's disease, 2 with post-encephalitic parkinsonism, and 3 with supranuclear palsy) with prominent ICE, were studied by electromyographic recording of the eye muscles. ICE episodes were shown to be dependent upon prolonged, irregular inhibition of the normal tonic activity of the levator palpebrae superioris (LPS) muscle causing drooping of the upper eyelid without any corresponding activation of the orbicularis oculi (OO) muscle. Nevertheless, some degree of excessive, widely fluctuating OO activity was present in seven of the patients. Blepharocolysis (from Gr. blepharon, eyelid, and kolysis inhibition) is put forward as the term to designate ICE episodes resulting from abnormally long inhibition of the LPS muscles and should be differentiated electrophysiologically from blepharospasm, excessive OO muscles activity. Abnormal influences from basal ganglia acting on brainstem structures that regulate blinking may falicitate either of the two components of normal blinking resulting in ICE due to the predominance of LPS inhibition (blepharocolysis), the predominance of OO activation (blepharospasm) or a combination of the two.

ICU pneumonias: a multi-institutional study

We conducted a prospective multi-institutional study of nosocomial and community-acquired pneumonias in 1378 patients admitted to the ICUs of six hospitals. We also investigated 1005 of these patients who were intubated and mechanically ventilated for a reason other than pneumonia, the risk of developing pneumonia, and the relationship between the incidence of pneumonia and the length of time during which the patients were mechanically ventilated. A bacteriologic diagnosis was made in 38% of the nosocomial and 21% of the community-acquired pneumonias. The total mortality rate was 40%; 47% of the patients with nosocomial and 17% of the patients with community-acquired pneumonias died. Because it was difficult to make an etiologic diagnosis in two-thirds of the cases, the treatment had to be based on an assumed causative organism.

Focal asterixis caused by a small putaminal hemorrhage

Unilateral asterixis and mild pure motor hemiparesis contralateral to a small putaminal hemorrhage were observed in a 74-year-old hypertensive man. The motor deficit proved to be rapidly reversible, but the focal asterixis remained for some time as the only sign of the intracranial hemorrhage. This case suggests that altered striopallidal inhibitory input to the thalamus probably disturbed the circuit subserving the maintenance of postural tone.

Primary hemifacial spasm: a neurophysiological study

A series of 53 cases of primary hemifacial spasm have been evaluated by means of blink reflexes and their results compared with a normal control group. Reflex responses were obtained by percutaneous electrical stimulus of both the supraorbital nerve (trigemino-facial reflex), and the facial nerve at the stylo-mastoid region (facio-facial reflex). The R2 response was considered abnormal when its latency was shortened (hyperactivity) or delayed (hypoactivity). Thirty-six out of 53 cases with primary hemifacial spasm showed abnormal responses, with a combination of facial nerve impairment (delayed R2 in the facio-facial reflex) and trigeminal-facial hyperactivity (shortened R2 in the trigemino-facial reflex). Five cases showed hyperactivity in both the trigemino-facial reflex and the facio-facial reflex reflexes. These results suggest a state of hyperexcitability, probably at the level of the facial nucleus, combined with a peripheral facial nerve involvement in a high proportion of patients with primary hemifacial spasm.

Hemodynamic effects of vasodilators on pulmonary hypertension in decompensated chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Vasodilators have been reported to improve the hemodynamic status of some patients with pulmonary hypertension secondary to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We investigated the effects of sodium nitroprusside (50 micrograms/min) and hydralazine (25 mg) on pulmonary hemodynamics in 12 patients during acute exacerbation of COPD. Apart from its known systemic effects, nitroprusside decreased significantly mean pulmonary artery pressure (MPAP) from 36 +/- 10 to 31 +/- 12 mm Hg (p less than .04), decreased slightly pulmonary vascular resistance, and did not change cardiac index. Except for a slight but significant increase in MPAP from 35 +/- 5 to 38 +/- 5 mm Hg (p less than .002), hydralazine produced no significant hemodynamic changes. These results suggest that vasodilator therapy with sodium nitroprusside and hydralazine for pulmonary hypertension secondary to acute COPD is probably not helpful.

Dose-related hemodynamic and renal effects of dopamine in septic shock

offstudied hemodynamic and renal effects of increasing the dosage of dopamine (DP) by 5 micrograms/kg X min, in 7 patients with peritonitis and clinical findings of septic shock, all of whom were already receiving variable dosages of DP. Stroke index (SI) (p less than .01), except in 3 cases, and mean arterial pressure (p less than .01) were significantly elevated without significant increases in HR and systemic vascular resistance index (SVRI). Changes in mean pulmonary artery pressure (MPAP) and pulmonary wedge pressure (WP) were insignificant (less than 3 mm Hg). Renal response showed augmentation of diuresis (p less than .01), inulin clearance (Cin) (p less than .05), and fractional excretion of sodium (FENa) (p = .02) without significant changes in either paraminohypurate clearance (Cpha) or filtration fraction. There was no correlation between hemodynamic or renal changes and initial dosage of DP. We conclude that increasing the DP dosage in septic shock patients may be useful even when the patient is already receiving large doses. Increased natriuresis was not due to changes in plasma renal flow.

Radiographic findings for the adult respiratory distress syndrome in patients with peritonitis

Ninety-seven consecutive patients admitted to the ICU with peritonitis were studied. Of these, 66 (68%) died and autopsies were performed on 38 (58%). Twelve of the 38 autopsied patients showed pathologic criteria of adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS); 26 did not. Chest x-rays of the 38 autopsied patients were examined and 9 (75%) of the 12 patients with histologic criteria of ARDS, specifically, moderate or severe fibrosis, had decreased pulmonary longitudinal diameter on serial chest x-rays. The remaining 3 (25%) patients did not have this specific finding. Of the 26 patients without pathologic criteria of ARDS, only 2 (8%) had reduction in pulmonary longitudinal diameter. We conclude that a marked reduction in the pulmonary longitudinal diameter is highly suggestive of ARDS and especially useful in differentiating ARDS from bilateral pneumonia.

Pulmonary vascular lesions in the toxic oil syndrome in Spain

A histological study was made of pulmonary arteries at the necropsies of nine patients who died after the ingestion of denatured rapeseed oil during the epidemic which occurred in Spain in May 1981. Lesions found in the elastic pulmonary arteries were characterised by pronounced intimal proliferation of an oedematous nature, accumulation of large vacuolated cells within the media, and loss of vascular smooth muscle. In muscular pulmonary arteries there was pronounced medial hypertrophy and intimal proliferation, which was so severe in one case that it completely occluded the arterial lumen. Foamy cells were found in the intima. Muscularisation was seen in the walls of pulmonary arterioles.

Psychological evaluation of intensive care nurses

To understand the possible psychological repercussions of working in an ICU, we report on 18 nurses in our unit, who took the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI), the Rorschach test, and two prints from the Phillipson test. Each nurse took these tests during her 1st month of work and again at 12 months; 9 repeated the tests once more 24 months after entering the ICU. The results demonstrated the absence of clinical evidence in all cases. Findings of the Rorschach indicate that the larger part of the group use defense mechanisms to confront the numerous harmful stimuli and the high level of anxiety. In spite of this, the Phillipson test shows approximately one-half of them to manage depressive situations correctly and formulate solutions and mechanisms of reparation.

ARDS due to ingestion of denatured rapeseed oil

Among the different etiologies of noncardiogenic acute pulmonary edema is found the administration or ingestion of various substances. We have studied two patients with ARDS secondary to the ingestion of toxic oil. Both patients presented similar roentgenographic findings characterized by interstitial and alveolar infiltration in "butterfly" distribution, pleural effusion, and a normal cardiac silhouette. The two cases also showed a pulmonary compliance either normal or slightly diminished. With the aid of artificial ventilation, they evolved favorably, gaseous exchange and chest x-ray films returning to normal 16 and 22 days after admission.

Endocarditis caused by B fragilis

A 54-year-old man had had an acute anterior myocardial infarction nine years prior to this hospital admission. Since that time he had been asymptomatic with the exception of occasional episodes of precordial chest pain. The patient died from septic shock on the tenth day after the present admission. On autopsy there was an old myocardial infarct with aneurysmal dilatation of the left ventricle which contained a large thrombus with multiple abscesses. Septic infarcts were also found in the left kidney and the left temporal lobe of the brain.

Pulsus paradoxus in acute myocardial infarction

Sixteen patients, admitted no later than eight hours after the onset of the first stage of acute myocardial infarction, underwent systemic, pulmonary, and pulmonary wedge pressure measurements on admission and 24 and 48 hours after the first symptoms. A decrease in systolic blood pressure during inspiration equal to or greater than 15 mm Hg was found in 56 percent of the cases at admission, 53 percent at 24 hours, and 41 percent at 48 hours. No correlation could be found between this and: (1) pulmonary wedge pressure, (2) arteriovenous oxygen difference (volume percent), (3) location, and (4) extension of the necrosis. The last was indirectly assessed by the maximum levels of creatine phosphokinase attained. We discuss the previously postulated mechanisms causing pulsus paradoxus and formulate a theory to explain in acute uncomplicated myocardial infarction.

Early detection of Huntington's disease. Blink reflex and levodopa load in presymptomatic and incipient subjects

The R2 response on the blink reflex was found to be abnormal in seven out of 17 Huntington's disease descendants. Such abnormalities were present in four untreated subjects and in three further subjects after administration of a single oral dose of levodopa-carbidopa. An increase in latency and differential latency (four cases), or in a single one of these parameters (three cases) were the abnormalities found, resembling findings in four incipient cases detected during routine family surveys. Continuous administration of levodopa-carbidopa over a 10-20 day period did not induce new characteristics in the blink reflex, nor increase those detected previously, and no case developed chorea. We suggest that the analysis of the blink reflex after a single oral levodopa-carbidopa dosage could provide an objective and quantifiable method for the detection of individuals at risk for Huntington's disease.

Reciprocal reflex activity in ocular muscles: implications in spontaneous blinking and Bell's phenomenon

Levator palpebrae (m. lev. palp.) and rectus superior (m. rect. sup.) are two synergistic muscles in vertical gaze movements. However, they show an antagonistic behavior during electrically induced blink and glabellar reflexes. This can be considered as an easy and useful method for their differentiation in the electrophysiological study of certain oculopalpebral motor disorders. Blinking consists of a series of reflex activities, the most outstanding ones being an early m. lev. palp. basal activity inhibition, followed by the activation of the orbicularis oculi muscle and a brief increase in m. rect. sup. activity (reflex Bell phenomenon). This coordinated reflex organization could be perfectly related to that known in other human nociceptive reflexes.

Abnormalities of Bell's phenomenon in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a clinical and electrophysiological evaluation

A clinical and electromyographic study of oculomotor function was carried out in a series of 24 patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). In 15 cases an alteration of Bell's phenomenon was found. In addition, three patients showed some impairment of conjugate ocular motility in the form of upward gaze paly. All cases had preserved oculocephalic reflexes in the vertical and horizontal planes. On clinical and electromyographic grounds, three degrees of altered Bell's phenomenon are suggested: attenuated (short and unsustained upward displacement of the eyeballs after forced closure of the eyelids), abolished (no upward displacement), and inverted (downward instead of upward displacement of the eyes). These oculomotor alterations were not directly related to the type of ALS at onset of the illness, nor with its duration. However they were correlated with the relative degree of the clinical bilateral pyramidal tract signs at the supraspinal level. The common involvement of the corticogeniculate tract in ALS could explain the unexpectedly high incidence of alteration of Bell's phenomenon found in this disease, but is is non-specific and similar lesions from different causes may also produce it.

Prognosis in hereditary amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Two different forms of hereditary amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) has been separated according to duration of illness. A rapid course with short survival as seen in sporadic ALS is usual, but a comparatively benign type with a mean survival of 12 years has been reported in some families. Four patients from an ALS-afflicted family with five affected members in three generations were examined and then followed up. A conspicuous variability in progression among the patients was observed, with death occurring from 26 months to 12 years after onset; one patient is alive 13 years after onset. Wide differences were also found with respect to initial site of involvement and pyramidal tract signs. Three other families with this mixed pattern of prognosis have been reported previously. Affected individuals within involved families had either short or long duration of the disease, rather than displaying a continuum. However, in view of the existence of a type of hereditary ALS with marked intrafamilial variability, prognosis, even in the presence of previous benign cases, should be cautiously given.

Regeneration of the spinal ventral roots. An experimental study in cats

From a clinical standpoint recovery of spinal nerve roots is less likely than that of peripheral nerves, despite their identical structures. This may be due to several factors including the length of gap to be bridged, changes in the proximal stump or neuroma, and chromatolysis. In this paper we discuss the roles of some of these factors in relation to the neuronal depopulation in the spinal cord anterior horn area following section of the anterior root. The lack of growth or the successful growth of the axon through the gap in the root influences the degree of depopulation in the anterior horn area.

Blink reflex in Huntingon's chorea and Parkinson's disease

The electrically-evoked late response (R2) of the blink reflex has been determined in 8 well-documented cases of Huntington's chorea and in 19 Parkinsonian patients. The results obtained from the two groups are compared with those from 10 normal subjects. A statistically significant difference of some components of the blink reflex was obtained when the three groups were compared. In both pathological conditions, the habituation index, latency and differential latency can be considered to represent the opposite extremes from the same scale, providing further evidence of the neurophysiological antagonism between the two disease states. The blink reflex pattern in Huntington's chorea probably reflects a diminished brain-stem interneurone basal activity through an over-inhibition of dopaminergic receptors in the striatum. The electrophysiological analysis of the blink reflex in incipient Huntington's chorea can provide an objective diagnostic assessment. It might be an effective method of detection for dopaminergic-activated carriers asking for genetic counseling.